Exhibit 12.1
 
                          LEINER HEALTH PRODUCTS INC.
 
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                                             FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               
                                                                                                                  UNAUDITED
                                                                                                                  PRO FORMA
                                                           1993(1)     1994       1995       1996       1997       1997(2)
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Net income (loss).......................................  $  (1,033) $   3,417  $   3,813  $   1,166  $   7,638   $    (836)
Extraordinary item......................................     --         --         --         --          2,756       2,756
Income taxes............................................        999      3,573      3,524      4,686      8,028       2,489
Fixed charges...........................................      7,054      8,627     10,863     11,484      9,866      24,759
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Earnings..............................................  $   7,020  $  15,617  $  18,200  $  17,336  $  28,288   $  29,168
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Fixed charges:
Interest expense........................................  $   5,791  $   7,144  $   9,010  $   9,924  $   8,281   $  23,147
Interest portion of rent expense........................      1,263      1,483      1,853      1,560      1,585       1,612
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Total fixed charges...................................  $   7,054  $   8,627  $  10,863  $  11,484  $   9,866   $  24,759
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)...................        1.0        1.8        1.7        1.5        2.9         1.2
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------

 
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(1) The computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the fiscal year
    ended March 31, 1993 represents the results of operations of LHP, the
    results of operations for XCEL from the date of its acquisition, and
    purchase accounting for the acquisitions of LHP and XCEL during that fiscal
    year. See "The Company."
 
(2) On January 30, 1997, the Company purchased Vita Health. This column gives
    effect to the acquisition of Vita Health, as well as the Recapitalization
    and related transactions. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information."
    The Vita Health acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of
    accounting. Consequently, the results of operations of Vita Health were
    included in the consolidated financial results of the Company for the two
    months ended March 31, 1997. The pro forma column includes the operating
    results of Vita Health for the additional ten months ended January 30, 1997
    and excludes certain non-recurring bonuses paid to the former owners of Vita
    Health of $2.4 million.
 
(3) In calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of
    income before taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest
    expense and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether capitalized or
    expensed, plus one-third of rental expense under operating leases (the
    portion that has been deemed by the Company to be representative of an
    interest factor).